Omicron outbreak linked to Hydro gig
Six case cluster is connected to Steps concert in Glasgow
SIX cases of the Omicron variant of Covid have been linked to a Steps concert at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
The cluster was uncovered as the number of people yesterday confirmed to have the newly mutated strain jumped by 16 in the previous 24 hours to 29, with the gig among the sources.
Pop favourites Steps, supported by Murder on the Dancefloor singer Sophie EllisBextor, played Scotland’s biggest indoor venue on Monday, November 22.
The person infected with the Omicron variant is believed to have gone to the concert two days after attending a function in Glasgow which is connected to other cases.
Steps also played the same venue the next day but no cases have been identified from it.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the story at her daily briefing yesterday, four hours after the Daily Record pressed her for details.
Until then nine Omicron cases had been linked to a single private event in Glasgow – believed to be a function at a venue in the city centre.
Sturgeon said: “The number of Omicron cases now being reported in Scotland is rising, and cases are no longer all linked to a single event, but to several different sources, including a Steps concert at the Hydro on
November 22. This confirms our view that there is now community transmission of this variant within Scotland.
“Given the nature of transmission, we would expect to see cases rise, perhaps significantly, in the days ahead.
“However, health protection teams are continuing work through contact tracing, isolation and testing to slow the spread as far as possible while we learn more about the new variant’s impact. Ministers are also keeping the situation under daily review.”
A Steps spokesperson last night said the 5,6,7,8 singers were fully cooperating with the authorities.
They added: “We are aware of the news of the Omicron Covid-19 variant linked to the Steps concert at Glasgow’s Hydro Arena on November 22.
“We are working closely with public health authorities to help with their inquiries and provide all information requested.”
The information came to light as Scotland recorded 2432 new Covid cases in the previous 24 hours and 16 coronaviruslinked deaths, taking the overall death toll to 9634.
The daily test positivity rate was 7.6 per cent, up from 7.4 per cent the previous day.
There were 652 people in hospital with Covid-19 on
Wednesday night, 46 people of whom were in intensive care.
Omicron cases have been recorded in Highland, Grampian and Forth Valley health boards for the first time, at three, one and five respectively.
The health boards where the outbreak was first recorded, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire, have 11 and nine cases respectively.
Those who may have come into close contact with the new variant at the Steps concert are being contacted.
Attendees do not generally need to isolate, unless asked to by Test and Protect or if they develop symptoms.
All close contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be told to isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.
The Scottish Government has said that vaccination was the “most important line of defence”.